Remi Garde keen to perform in the upcoming encounters of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 – Ligue 1 news
Olympique Lyonnais Coach Remi Garde has asked his team to focus on the upcoming contests against Dijon FC in Ligue 1 Championelle and Ajax Amsterdam in the UEFA Champions League.
Following the international break, Les Gones will enter the field for the first time, against newly promoted side Dijon at Stade Gaston http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664, in Week 5 of the 2011/12 Ligue 1 Championnat. The French tactician wants his charges to get back into their rhythm
before going to Amsterdam to play in the group stages of Champions League on September 14, 2011.
“Games following international breaks are always tough, because you have to get your players re-focused on club and league objectives. We've already taken on a promoted side this season and we didn't get the best result,” said the 45-year-old French architect.
Lyon almost tasted defeat against newly promoted AC Ajaccio after conceding a first goal in the 59th minute. Though Argentine international Lisandro Lopez came to their rescue just seven minutes from the final whistle, Garde has to work on the
defensive sector as Lyon have conceded the first goal on five occasions this season.
Lyon were finally able to get rid of their concede-first-score-later habit in the last Ligue 1 match against Montpellier Herault SC as they beat the visitors 2-1.
Dijon face Lyon following back-to-back wins against Evian TG and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valenciennes-FC-c40865 in Ligue 1 and Coupe de La Ligue respectively. The L'Arbresle-born coach is well aware of the momentum gained by the newly promoted side as he was quoted saying, “We'll be up
against a side that has maintained the qualities that earned it promotion to the top flight.”
He further added that Dijon’s recruits from the summer transfer window have settled in and an enthusiastic side like Dijon are capable of giving Les Gones a tough time.
The Frenchman will be under pressure as a number of key players are reportedly injured. Top of the list is Lisandro Lopez, who sprained his left ankle in the match against Montpelier and will be sidelined for the match against Dijon. He is likely to stay
on the sidelines for four weeks. The Rhone club will miss the authoritative figure of captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ederson-c11880 has injured his ankle and will not make an appearance this weekend.
Apart from the injuries, Remi Garde will welcome the news of playmaker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 making a fast recovery and might feature in the Champions League.
The Rhone native will not have the fully-fit squad available to him against the Burgundy club and the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603. A win at Stade Gaston Gerard will boost the
confidence of the seven-time champions before they play Ajax next week.
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